Our Team

The Blue Sparrow Team is comprised of professional, dedicated animal lovers who bring years of experience and skills. Get to know each member of our staff through their personal bios below.

Anne Bennett, RVT
Hospice & Integrative Care

Anne has been working in veterinary medicine for more than 15 years. After graduating from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, Anne moved to San Francisco to complete a veterinary technician program, earning her license as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 1997 from Carrington College of California (formerly Western Career College). Anne gained extensive experience in veterinary care while working at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (SFVS) supervising the surgery department, Animal Care & Control, and Irving Pet Hospital. She also volunteers with VET SOS.

At Blue Sparrow Holistic, Anne has enjoyed learning about and seeing the benefits of integrative medicine. She has a special interest in hospice care and pain management.

Anne grew up in a small town in Oregon surrounded by a variety of pets — from dogs to birds to a skunk named Scamper. With a desire to make a difference in the animal world, Anne has found veterinary nursing to be a fulfilling and satisfying career. She lives with her partner Bill, their daughter Juno, and their two dogs Andre and Roobarb. When Anne has some down time she enjoys reading and open water swimming.

Azurdee has worked in the veterinary field for over a decade. She began her career as a client service representative in general practice at Arguello Pet Hospital in 2006. Since then she has worked at All Pets Hospital, Nor Cal Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, and has been relief staff for other veterinary hospitals in San Francisco.

Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Azurdee grew up working with pets in her family’s pet grooming business that her grandmother began in the 1970’s. As a family owned and operated business, Azurdee grew up surrounded by lots of animals at a very young age, and her mother jokes that she learned how to bark before she learned how to talk. Azurdee began her career in the veterinary field to expand her knowledge about animals in a medical setting, while also continuing to help pets and their human companions.

In 2004, Azurdee moved from Knoxville to San Francisco to pursue a Master’s degree in Fine Art, which she obtained in 2006 from the San Francisco Art Institute. She still continues to create art as a passion rather than a career.

Azurdee currently lives in San Francisco with her husband, Japhy, and their two cats, Ichabod and Toki. In her free time, Azurdee enjoys movies, makeup, dining, karaoke, playing games of all types, her passion of painting and drawing, as well as exploring the outdoors of the Bay Area with her husband.

Melissa Bokelman, RVT
Feline Medicine & Hospice Care

Melissa has worked in the veterinary world for over 10 years, initially as a veterinary assistant, and then as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) beginning in 2007. She obtained her veterinary technician education through Carrington College of California.

Melissa gained her initial experience working in general practice for 5 years at a few of the best SF veterinary practices- Irving Pet, SPCA, Avenues Pet and Arguello Pet Hospitals. She is currently working at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (SFVS) and Blue Sparrow Holistic.

Melissa has a special interest in feline medicine, as well as hospice care.

She lives in San Francisco (where she was born and raised) with her husband and three cats, one of which is a Sphynx. In her down time, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, and wine tasting.

About Dr. Araba Oglesby

For more than 25 years, Dr. Araba Oglesby has been passionate about animals. From her canine companions and feline friends of San Francisco to the black howler monkeys of Belize, Dr. Araba has cared for them all! The owner of Blue Sparrow Holistic Veterinary House Calls, Dr. Araba brings together the very best of both Eastern and Western medicine to offer your pet outstanding expertise and care.
Learn more about Dr. Araba.>>

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About Dr. Araba Oglesby

For more than 25 years, Dr. Araba Oglesby has been passionate about animals. From her canine companions and feline friends of San Francisco to the black howler monkeys of Belize, Dr. Araba has cared for them all! The owner of Blue Sparrow Holistic Veterinary House Calls, Dr. Araba brings together the very best of both Eastern and Western medicine to offer your pet outstanding expertise and care.